By Capt. Dan Armitage



The 330 Sundancer is designed to be a comfortable cruiser at the dock and on the open water.

Mission

According to our source at Sea Ray, the 330 is built specifically for the active boater who wants to entertain friends and take the family on short weekend cruises, with possibly one or two longer cruises each season. Because of Sea Ray's large world-wide dealer network the 330 has many different engine options to fit local conditions and needs..



The Sea Ray 330 Sundancer is available with both gas and diesel engines in both stern drive and inboard configurations.

Distinctive Features

V-drive available. There are very few boats on the market in this class that offer both stern drive and V-drive inboard propulsion systems. If you like inboard power -- and there are owners who prefer the props under the boat rather than hanging off the transom -- then the 330 should be considered.

Robust displacement. The Sea Ray 330 is one of the heaviest boats in class. That heft, together with its 21-degree deadrise should make this a comfortable boat in a chop.

Good range. Best cruise for the 330 is at 3500 rpm going 26.7 mph, getting 1.41 statute miles per gallon powered by the optional 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG. This is among the greatest ranges offered by any boat in class. One of the reasons for this is her 10'5" (3.18 m) beam which is among the most narrow in class.

Interior treatment. If you have been aboard one of the new 2012 Sea Rays then we urge you to do it. The interior treatments, décor, materials used, and overall feel have been greatly enhanced on many of the company's models. The 330 is one of those boats.



Maple hardwood is standard underfoot aboard the 2012 330 Sundancer. The flatscreen TV is an option in an mid cabin which is made versatile with a convertible bed that doubles as wraparound seating.



Sea Ray has redesigned the sofa and added new, textured wall materials to enhance the rich feel of the interior. Note the wood-finished cabinetry and a solid teak table in the salon.



Thanks to two skylights and four oversized portlights, a good deal of natural light illuminates the 330’s V berth and interior. The fully appointed galley includes oven, microwave, stovetop, refrigerator/freezer and a sink large enough to accommodate full-sized pots, pans and dishes.

Power and Performance

We tested the 330 with twin 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG 5.0 L engines driving through Bravo III dual-prop sterndrive lower units. WAT speed at 4800 rpm was 39.0 mph with 1/3rd fuel, no water, and two people aboard. Best cruise was at 3500 rpm, as noted above, where the boat goes 26.7 mph, getting 1.41 mpg giving the boat a range of 253 statute miles.

Standard power on the 330 is twin 260-hp 5.0 L MPI ECT MerCruiser Axius engines with DTS (Digital Throttle and Shift) driving Bravo III drives. This is a joystick package that it pretty mush state-of-the-art. Power options include the 350 Mag that we tested rated at 300-hp. As noted the boat is also available with V-drive 350 MAGs.

Twin Yanmar diesels (6LPA/STZP) 307-hp diesels connected to Bravo III drives are also available.



The head features simulated teak floor, good-sized vanity and natural lighting via an oversized, functional hatch.



Keeping the front deck ship-shape is easy thanks to a washdown hose located right where you need it to wash the anchor, rode and deck.



The deck plan of the 330 Sundancer. Note the large wet bar area.



Interior accommodations of the Sea Ray 330. A privacy curtain for the forward sleeping area is standard.



The gals will like the raised back on the bow sunpad.



The 330 comes with the SmartCraft instrument management system, which includes marine diagnostics and features easy-to-read, low-glare night lighting.



The 330 comes with a standard canvas package for running the boat through inclimate weather and for keeping the boat buttoned up at the marina.

Noteworthy Standard Features

We look over dozens bats' standard and optional lists every week and most are pretty much the same in class. However, every company has its own pet items that they seem to like to make standard. Also, increasingly the last couple of years a number of builders have been packing in more "often-needed" equipment on the standards list. In looking over the Sea Ray 330 Sundancer's standard list here are the items that caught our eye--

*Axius joystick

*Electrically actuated engine room hatch

*Teak cockpit table

*Ultraleather material covering interior sofa

*Mirrored bulkhead in mid cabin

*Power vent in the head (You'd be surprised how many boats make this an option.)

*High water bilge alarm

*Smart Craft Engine Diagnostics

* Digital Throttle and Control (DTS)

*Battery charger/converter

*VHF radio

*Engine room fire suppression system

*Gel coated engine room

*Cockpit shower



The Sundancer’s cockpit can be fitted with an optional grill and flat screen TV. Sectional snap-in carpeting makes for simple post-cruise clean-up.



An aft-facing convertible seat is perfect for keeping tabs on children swimming off the transom – or for relaxing and catching a sunset.



A cool option for stowing and launching personal watercraft, small inflatables or family members who want to lounge in the water is the optional hydraulic swim platform.

Price and Observations

As we write this the boat's MSRP with the twin 260-hp engines is $251,554. If you want twin 300-hp engines such as the ones we tested, add $20,617 in the U.S., or about $10,000 in the rest of the world. (The catalyzed engines make the difference,)

Sea Ray has been building express cruisers for about as long as anyone and knows what it is doing. Competition is keen these days and Sea Ray is responding by adding important items of gear to its standard list (such as the Axius joystick). Likewise the interior of the 330 is definitely an up-grade over what we have seen before.

The Sea Ray 330 Sundancer is pretty much ready to use right out of the standard box and does not require much more than USCG-required safety items and fuel. We would add a chartplotter/gps. People in the tropics may want A/C which will also require the addition of a generator, but that is about it.

• Top speed for the Sea Ray 330 Sundancer (2011-) is 39.0 mph (62.8 kph), burning 30.0 gallons per hour (gph) or 113.55 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sea Ray 330 Sundancer (2011-) is 26.7 mph (43 kph), and the boat gets 1.41 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.6 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 253 miles (407.16 kilometers).


• Tested power is 2 x 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI with Axius.